Michelle Obama clarifies the rumors of a divorce

Barack and Michelle Obama have been the subject of divorce rumors for some time. Michelle, however, used Wednesday’s occasion to not only directly address these accusations but also to highlight the irrational demands society places on women.

Michelle Obama appeared as a guest on Sophia Bush’s podcast, Work in Progress, on Wednesday. Nine minutes into the conversation, the former First Lady gave a very intimate account of how her life has changed since her daughters, Sasha (age 23) and Malia (age 26), moved out.

She disclosed that the straightforward yet freeing aspect of being a “empty nester” is her favorite aspect: She said cheerfully, “[Life] is whatever I want, Sophia, It’s whatever I want.” “This is the first time in my life that I have complete control over my choices.” Obama has long juggled the hard responsibilities of being a mother, public person, and partner, frequently putting her children’s needs and her husband Barack Obama’s profession ahead of her own.

However, now that her family has grown and she is in a new phase of her personal life, she is taking back control. But having the autonomy to choose for oneself wasn’t always simple, especially for a woman. Obama described the difficulty many women encounter in granting themselves the right to put their own needs first.

The intriguing thing is that most people say, ‘I understand,’ when I answer ‘no.’ And I’m all right,” Michelle clarified. Then, as she discussed public opinion and the criticism that occasionally results from claiming her independence, her tone changed from humorous to somber.

“I believe that’s the issue that women have: disappointing other people. So much so that this year, folks assumed that my husband and I were divorcing because they couldn’t even comprehend that I was making a decision for myself.

Concerns about the durability of the Obamas’ marriage initially surfaced when Michelle missed Donald Trump’s inauguration and Jimmy Carter’s burial, which was held on January 9, 2025, according to sources—wild claims, certainly, but reports none the less.

Even while Obama did not specify which particular choice set off the divorce rumors, her husband’s attendance at both President Trump’s inauguration and President Jimmy Carter’s burial fueled enough suspicions to make headlines.